Title: firstsite in Dutch Quarter | Expedia.co.uk [firstsite Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Firstsite-Hotels.0-l553248621533025669-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[firstsite Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Firstsite.d553248621533025669.Car-Hire-Guide)[Dutch Quarter Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Dutch-Quarter.d553248621532509186.Holidays-City-Breaks) # firstsite ![Colchester which includes modern architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/56cbcc46-efac-4a4e-924d-c858911dd305.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester which includes modern architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/56cbcc46-efac-4a4e-924d-c858911dd305.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester featuring modern architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/744edee3-689d-4b1b-b210-f35fa7b713c1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![firstsite which includes modern architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/c1e9549b-9885-4274-8899-c45f4d0f415c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Colchester featuring modern architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/752bc92c-55e6-4f90-8eb6-0d84b2bce687.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit firstsite Activities --- --- #### As one of the U.K.’s premier modern art galleries, this is a great place to see temporary exhibitions, attend art classes and listen to expert talks. Visit Firstsite in Colchester’s cultural centre to admire some of the newest, most cutting-edge artwork in the U.K. Take in the striking design of the modern building and learn about the artworks by taking a tour. Attend a class or a workshop or sit in the large auditorium to view one of the regular screenings. If you are looking for a night out with a difference, eat at Firstsite’s popular restaurant. Firstsite opened in 2011 and is already recognised as one of the most progressive galleries in the country with its regularly changing displays of a range of different artistic mediums. The building, with its sloping, gilded roofs and wide glass front, was designed by the celebrated architect Rafael Viñoly and has become an icon in Colchester’s cultural centre. Don’t miss Firstsite’s only permanent exhibition, the Berryfield Mosaic, with its intricate, geometric patterns. It dates back to Roman times and was discovered by a local gardener and then handed over to the museum. Except for the mosaic, all the exhibitions you will see are temporary. Themes may range from anything from international, contemporary painters to works in other mediums such as film or sculpture. Visit the 190-seater auditorium to catch one of the regular screenings, which include documentaries and classic films. This is also the venue for the debates and talks that the gallery puts on. You can also learn a new skill at a class or take your child to one of the parent-and-toddler days. If you get hungry pay a visit to café MUSA, which serves light meals on a daily basis. From Thursday to Saturday the café also becomes a restaurant in the evenings. Book yourself a table to enjoy a meal among the artwork. Firstsite is located in Colchester’s cultural centre, within easy walking distance of the Colchester Castle. Firstsite is closed on Mondays except for bank holidays and school holidays and is free to enter. Check with the gallery’s reception to find out when guided tours are held. ## Plan a trip to see firstsite Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![The Great Hallingbury Manor](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2130000/2123900/2123886/41d2b85e_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Great Hallingbury Manor £266 per person 22 Mar - 26 Mar found 18 hours ago Return flight included Aberdeen (ABZ) to London (STN) 7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews) Everything was good. Reception staff very helpful and Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026 ![County Hotel Chelmsford](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1890000/1880400/1880337/b8d4bca9_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### County Hotel Chelmsford £391 per person 27 Mar - 31 Mar found 17 hours ago Return flight included Edinburgh (EDI) to London (STN) 8/10 Very Good! (526 reviews) Had a lovely 1 night stay at this hotel. Immaculate room with the most comfy bed. Lovely bar and restaurant downstairs. Great location, 10 minute walk into town. Would highly recommend. Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026 ![The Harvard Inn](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15600000/15598400/15598352/aba24539_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Harvard Inn £408 per person 27 Mar - 31 Mar found 17 hours ago Return flight included Edinburgh (EDI) to London (STN) 9.4/10 Exceptional! (369 reviews) The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room very clean. The best bit was the Sunday lunch, superb! Breakfast was very good too. Thank you. Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026 ### Popular places to visit ![Colchester Castle Park showing heritage architecture and château or palace](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081369/3f05290e-0695-4d30-904c-e834cfee7b1b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Castle Park 4.5/5(64 reviews) Ride a pedalo on the boating lake, enjoy a game of mini golf or simply spend an afternoon relaxing in Colchester’s most popular public park. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Castle-Park-Colchester.d6081369.Attraction) ![Colchester showing heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340810372/d960ada5-5cce-441d-9b18-b6ff7367e95b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Colchester Town Hall 4/5(10 reviews) Colchester’s Baroque town hall, a heritage-listed building with Victorian tower and antique organ, has been the focus of civil duties for over 800 years. 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[](https://expedia.co.uk/Hollytrees-Museum-Colchester.d6081391.Attraction) ![Colchester which includes heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621555971833/34bcba84-1b51-428d-859c-cf57ebfa9b62.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### The Minories Galleries See artists at work, browse exhibitions of local and national artists and take in the Georgian architecture of this popular art gallery. [](https://expedia.co.uk/The-Minories-Galleries-Colchester.d553248621555971833.Attraction) ![Colchester which includes a city and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340806337/e92a0c05-08c1-418d-80ef-a60a41718689.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Jumbo Water Tower Take pictures of this Victorian structure and admire the 19th-century engineering on what was once the second-largest water tower in the country. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Jumbo-Water-Tower-Colchester.d553248634340806337.Attraction) --- ## Top Hotel Deals ## Check availability on hotels close to firstsite [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621533025669&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08)[7 Feb - 8 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621533025669&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621533025669&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09)[8 Feb - 9 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621533025669&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621533025669&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[13 Feb - 15 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621533025669&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) ![St Nicholas Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31580000/31572600/31572580/e9b6d553_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### St Nicholas Hotel High Street St Nicholas Hotel Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-St-Nicholas-Hotel.h31572580.Hotel-Information) ![The George of Colchester](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/30000/28400/28302/afc8bf06_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The George of Colchester 116 High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-The-George-Of-Colchester.h28302.Hotel-Information) ![Brook Red Lion Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/910000/901000/900905/0fbde0af_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Brook Red Lion Hotel High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-Brook-Red-Lion-Hotel.h900905.Hotel-Information) ![The North Hill Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/24000000/23250000/23244400/23244369/a08549da_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The North Hill Hotel 51 NORTH HILL Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-North-Hill-Hotel.h23244369.Hotel-Information) ![Colchester Studio Suites](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/113000000/112360000/112359000/112358962/1e7318e4_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Colchester Studio Suites 23 St Peter's St Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-Colchester-Studio-Suites.h112358962.Hotel-Information) ![GreyFriars](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12930000/12921400/12921400/0dc3be5a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### GreyFriars High Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-GreyFriars.h12921400.Hotel-Information) ![Colchester Boutique Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12740000/12732900/12732855/a972497c_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Colchester Boutique Hotel 4-6 North Hill Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-Colchester-Boutique-Hotel.h12732855.Hotel-Information) ![Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/190000/184500/184464/08a40d8d_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel East Street Colchester England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Colchester-Hotels-Best-Western-The-Rose-Crown-Hotel.h184464.Hotel-Information) ![Star Anglia Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/19000000/18790000/18780800/18780736/9b02aff4_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Star Anglia Hotel 75 N Station Rd. 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